Ole Miss's offense challenged Auburn's defense Saturday night. And many of those challenges came well after the whistle was blown.

But Auburn answered in a big way holding the Rebels to just 193 total yards and one field goal.

"They were dirty, a little dirtier than they were supposed to be," said AU defensive tackle Josh Thompson. "They got after us. We got after them.

"It made us pretty mad. We popped them in the mouth pretty good and they eventually quit." Lanier and Phenix City (Ala.) Central running back Orwin Smith, and Brewton (Ala.) W.S. Neal defensive tackle Jamar Travis.

Eufaula (Ala.) defensive end Courtney Upshaw, an Alabama commitment, also made the trip to Auburn along with Hoover (Ala.) Spain Park defensive end William Green.

A pair of teammates from Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln were on the Plains in linebacker Deshaun Barnes and cornerback T.J. Bryant.

***Ole Miss' Hardy, who leads the SEC in tackles-for-loss and sacks, was suspended due to a violation of team rules for the game and did not make the trip to Auburn.

***Cox passed Pat Sullivan for third on Auburn's career passing yardage Saturday night. The senior now has 6,331 career yards passing. Cox also tied Stan White for third in Auburn history with 40 career touchdown passes.

***OL King Dunlap started the game at left tackle, but suffered an injury on AU's second drive of the first quarter and was replaced by Ryan Pugh. Dunlap returned midway through the second quarter. Dunlap was starting for Pugh, who injured his ankle against Arkansas.

***WR Robert Dunn dressed for the game but did not play. He was suspended for the LSU game after a violation of team practice rules.

***LB Craig Stevens hurt his ankle in fourth quarter and did not return.

"I don't know about Craig Stevens. He hurt his foot, and they're X-raying it," said Tuberville.